Question about sleep apnea

[Michelle1977 27]

A couple of week's ago I did my sleep study. Turns out that I have mild sleep apnea. I went back last Monday (the 14th) for the 2nd sleep test with the CPAP machine. I lasted the minimum 6 hours that I had to be there. I basically came close to having a panic attack. At first it was fine with the mask. The pressure wasn't much and I was able to breath. As I slept the lady kept increasing the air pressure (she told me she'd be doing this). I felt like I was sufficating. Every time she's increase the pressure I'd get that feeling and I would take the mask off. It was like I couldn't breath with the mask on (she only let me try the over the nose mask and the full face mask). I HATED that confining feeling and sufficiating feeling. On the questionaire that I had to fill out before I left it had the question "If you used a CPAP during tonight's study, would you use one at home if told to?" I put NO in capital letters.

Well, I was on vacation this week and when I got home I checked my answering machine. Turns out that the doctor does want me to get a CPAP machine. Uh no. I don't really even want to go thru the motions. If I go get that machine I am NOT going to use it. I had the worst night's sleep EVER that night. I about had a panic attack that night and I don't want to have to go thru that every night. I'd never get any sleep.

So should I just go thru the motions, get the box, and not use it? Or not waste my time? Do you think it'll be a show stopper with the doctor?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[PdxMan 4,292]

The CPAP machine just takes some time to get used to. Your body is not used to having the glottis kept open by this reverse pressue. Yes, you will have a few nights where your sleep is terrible, but in the long run, it will be totally worth it. I had so much more energy and was able to think so much clearer when I got my machine. Had only missed a handful of days since getting it.

I don't require the machine now, being 19 months post-op, but I still use it as I feel so much better with it than without it.

Just give it a week, surely you are worth that, right?

[mokee 588]

I refused to even do the test. I think it is a bunch of bull. Everyone I know that takes the test is told they have sleep apnea. Then they buy a machine or their insurance pays for it. Then they use it a few times and in the closet it goes. What a waste of insurance money or your own.

I told my surgeon that I would not take the test. I also told the pulmonary dr the same thing and here I am 7 weeks postop. I guess it was not that important.

[sherrinita 12]

A couple of week's ago I did my sleep study. Turns out that I have mild sleep apnea. I went back last Monday (the 14th) for the 2nd sleep test with the CPAP machine. I lasted the minimum 6 hours that I had to be there. I basically came close to having a panic attack. At first it was fine with the mask. The pressure wasn't much and I was able to breath. As I slept the lady kept increasing the air pressure (she told me she'd be doing this). I felt like I was sufficating. Every time she's increase the pressure I'd get that feeling and I would take the mask off. It was like I couldn't breath with the mask on (she only let me try the over the nose mask and the full face mask). I HATED that confining feeling and sufficiating feeling. On the questionaire that I had to fill out before I left it had the question "If you used a CPAP during tonight's study, would you use one at home if told to?" I put NO in capital letters.

Well, I was on vacation this week and when I got home I checked my answering machine. Turns out that the doctor does want me to get a CPAP machine. Uh no. I don't really even want to go thru the motions. If I go get that machine I am NOT going to use it. I had the worst night's sleep EVER that night. I about had a panic attack that night and I don't want to have to go thru that every night. I'd never get any sleep.

So should I just go thru the motions, get the box, and not use it? Or not waste my time? Do you think it'll be a show stopper with the doctor?

Any advice would be appreciated.

I have the CPAP machine and it does take time to get use to. However, I am not allowed to have surgery wihtout have used the machine for five hours for two weeks. So that is something else that you may need to consider. The reason behind it is because people were having a hard time waking up from anesthesia. I have noticed that I am well rested when i get up in the morning and I dont have the headaches that I use to have when i wake up....but I guess to each its own and what your insurance or surgeon is saying...best of luck

[littleone75 12]

When I was diagnosed with apnea I had a hard time with my machine at first. Once i got used to it, it made a huge difference.

[WillowsAngel_32513 70]

A couple of week's ago I did my sleep study. Turns out that I have mild sleep apnea. I went back last Monday (the 14th) for the 2nd sleep test with the CPAP machine. I lasted the minimum 6 hours that I had to be there. I basically came close to having a panic attack. At first it was fine with the mask. The pressure wasn't much and I was able to breath. As I slept the lady kept increasing the air pressure (she told me she'd be doing this). I felt like I was sufficating. Every time she's increase the pressure I'd get that feeling and I would take the mask off. It was like I couldn't breath with the mask on (she only let me try the over the nose mask and the full face mask). I HATED that confining feeling and sufficiating feeling. On the questionaire that I had to fill out before I left it had the question "If you used a CPAP during tonight's study, would you use one at home if told to?" I put NO in capital letters.

Well, I was on vacation this week and when I got home I checked my answering machine. Turns out that the doctor does want me to get a CPAP machine. Uh no. I don't really even want to go thru the motions. If I go get that machine I am NOT going to use it. I had the worst night's sleep EVER that night. I about had a panic attack that night and I don't want to have to go thru that every night. I'd never get any sleep.

So should I just go thru the motions, get the box, and not use it? Or not waste my time? Do you think it'll be a show stopper with the doctor?

Any advice would be appreciated.

i have sleep apnea and my surgeon said that if i dont take it to the hospital on surgery day, my surgery would be cancelled....

[.......... 129]

I am worried about if I can feel comfortable with out it now that my weight has gone closer to the goal of when I can sleep not having need a cpap any more, I tried it out and did not get the rest I need and get using it just yet and also that left me wondered the opposite for the mean time.

[Lander 74]

I was told I had to use it for 2 months before surgery. Apnea was one of the comorbidities that qualified me for surgery. You can't get the machine and fake it because the machine has a computer card in it that records your use and sleep patterns and you have to take the card in to be downloaded. I actually have come to find my machine comforting. The machine has a button on it called 'ramping' that you can hit as many times as you like that makes the machine start at at a minimal amount and work it's way up in pressure as you fall asleep. I'm long asleep before mine gets where it needs to be.

[notmeanymore 629]

I am diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and had a similar panic attack episode at my sleep study. I just could not do the mask so they tried a nasal pillow for me and it was soooo much better. Even with severe apnea I am able to wear it so with you having mild, Im sure that is an option for you. My machine also has a ramping feature which is a nice mellow flow of air before I drift off into sleep. Once asleep, I dont even know that the full flow of air is happening. Try talking them into letting you use the nasal pillow. I would not have been able to use the mask if they forced me to.

[Losin4good 691]

sleep apnea is pretty serious. I was diagnosed in 2005. I did not start using my machine regularly until 2010. When someone I knew died during their sleep it was a real wake up call for me.

I never liked wearing it. I would have panic attacks, and in my sleep I would rip the mask off, wake up in the morning with it on the floor. Once i started using it regularly i realized how it was actually really needed and how much better i felt after a real rested nights sleep. I wish i wouldn't have been so stubborn about it those first few years, that was risky.

Now that i have lost a lot of weight, my pressure is lower and hopefully i wont need it forever.

I would comply. It definitely cant hurt. And it is true that most surgeons will not operate if you are not using it. And there is no way to fake the computer chip. Trust me, i even tried just turning it on and leaving it on all night. Doctor was not amused. i was young and defiant lol

[superstartover 101]

My doc did surgery on me instead of cpac machine it was approved due to clausterphobia. I had turbinate reduction , tonsilectimy, devated septum repair, and part of my uva stitched up seem to have helped maybe this can be an option. Sorry about spelling...

[RedCardinal 13]

I would give it another try. Check out the Swift LT mask, it's a very lightweight non-confining mask. The sleep studies are generally awful. The experience can be much different in your own home. I had such severe sleep apnea that I loved the CPAP. I was sleeping so soundly with it, that it was about a week before I even noticed the mask was a uncomfortable. I went through quite a few different mask types until I found one that was most comfortable. This was 15 years ago. At the time, everything was targeted to middle-aged white men, so my head was much smaller that most.

The therapist will fit you with the mask. Do some research before they come, and let them know what you want to try. Too often, people just take what they are given without realizing all the options available.

What pressure setting did they say you needed? The ramp feature is useful that others mentioned. Also, make sure you have a BPAP (not a CPAP). With a BPAP the pressure is reduced when you exhale to make the experience more comfortable.

CPAP.com has some good information on the different masks that are available.

Good luck.